Today marks the launch of Everybody’s Business, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire’s first Police and Crime Plan. The draft plan went out for public feedback in early February 2013 and drew nearly 200 responses from residents and other interested parties by the closing date of 8th March. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

The final plan, reflects residents’ and organisations’ feedback and sets the direction of travel for the Commissioner’s first year in office.

Previous Policing Plans attracted just handfuls of comments from the public and the level of response to Everybody’s Business compares favourably with government national policy consultations on crime issues (which tend to receive around 200-500 responses).

Commissioner Lloyd’s plan outlines proposals to “build on success”, and sets out three new development areas: “public focus”, “offender pays” and “business sense”. The “offender pays” proposals have received most interest in both local and national press, and received a very warm welcome from the county’s residents.

On the feedback received in the consultation, Commissioner David Lloyd said: “I am extremely grateful to those who have spent their time and energy considering the plan and providing their ideas, comments and challenges. I am pleased with the level of engagement – although obviously I encourage more people to read the plan and engage with us. I called it “everybody’s business” for a reason.

“It appears that my proposals have generally gone down well with respondents, which is pleasing. There were, of course, calls for me to tread with care, particularly around some of the ‘offender pays’ initiatives and some of the business proposals. I hope that this consultation shows that I want to hear your views and that I will listen to counsel.”